Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,
__1 Peter 5:6 (NASB)
Humility can be defined as the absence of pride or the opposite of pride. According to Webster’s Dictionary, humility means freedom from pride and arrogance or a modest estimation of your own worth. It is having a modest opinion of one’s own importance or rank.
The word ‘Humility’ is not normally used when people talk about leadership. Words that others use to describe a leader would be words such as confident, powerful, dynamic, and great. Humility will make you GREAT!
Matthew 23:11 (AMPC) says, “He who is GREATEST among you shall be your servant.”
“The beginning of GREATNESS is to be little, the increase of GREATNESS is to be less, and the perfection of GREATNESS is to be nothing.”
__D. L. Moody
Greatness is always preceded with humility! There is no greatness without humility.
Jesus is the ultimate example of humility and leadership. He was truly a humble leader. Jesus was humble and gentle and yet, He was a powerful man. Humility is power under God’s Control!
Philippians 2:5 (AMPC) says, “Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [LET HIM BE YOUR EXAMPLE IN HUMILITY].
When it comes to humility, the way up is down! The down very often begins on our knees, humbling ourselves before God, leaning and depending on Him. When we do this, we are demonstrating that we can’t lead without Him. When we lower or humble ourselves, God lifts us up.
“Be like the Bamboo. The higher you grow, the deeper you bow.”
__Chinese Proverb
As leaders, we have to realize that we have to give up many things in our lives to go up higher. We have to give up things such as pride, bad attitudes, selfishness, and unforgiveness, to name a few.
“The higher we are placed, the more humbly we should walk.”
__Marcus Tullius Cicero
Humility is a characteristic that every leader should develop in his or her life. Humble leaders acknowledge the areas in their lives where they need the help of God and others whom God uses to help them accomplish His will and plan for their lives.
Humble leaders depend upon God in their decision-making, risk-taking, and for the courage they need to deal with difficult situations. They lean on God for strength to carry them through the tough times. They realize the truth in John 15:5 (NIV) which says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
Without God, they can do nothing. Even though we can’t do anything without God, with Him, we can do all things.
Philippians 4:13 (NKJV) states, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Don’t let your years of experience and education level as a leader keep you from being humble. We all need God’s help!
“True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.”
__Rick Warren
Humility reduces the power of independence and ensures dependence on God. God wants to bring us to the point of depending upon Him. It honors God when we show our dependence upon Him by asking Him for help.
You can’t be a successful leader by yourself, but with the help of God, the Ultimate Leader, you can be the great, powerful successful leader God has called you to be!
